U.S. patent number 6,532,109 [Application Number 09/495,648] was granted by the patent office on 2003-03-11 for roller operated system with mounting assembly for multi-stage installation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Draper, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rick A. Shopp.
United States Patent |
6,532,109 |
Shopp |
March 11, 2003 |
Roller operated system with mounting assembly for multi-stage
installation
Abstract
A mounting assembly including a housing for a roller operated
system, such as a projection screen system, which facilitates
installation in a building in stages to reduce the risk of damage
to system components. The housing includes longitudinally extending
lipped projections along its top wall. Attachment lugs of brackets
that support the roller on which a sheet, such as a projection
screen, is windable are adapted to engage the lipped projections
and enable the brackets to be mounted to the housing at selected
longitudinal locations to allow for positioning adjustments of the
roller. The vertical side walls of the housing also are each
constructed with a projecting lip adapted to engage an upstanding
hook of the bottom closure panel to thereby enable the closure
panel to be mounted to either of the side walls of the housing. A
method of installing a roller operated system is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Shopp; Rick A. (New Castle,
IN) |
Assignee: |
Draper, Inc. (Spiceland,
IN)
|
Family
ID: |
25329813 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/495,648 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
859027 |
May 20, 1997 |
6137629 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/461;
160/23.1; 248/223.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B
21/58 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03B
21/56 (20060101); G03B 21/58 (20060101); G03B
021/56 (); E06B 009/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;359/443,461
;248/220.21,223.41,254,262,267 ;160/23.1,239 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Somfy; "Automatic Control Systems"; Somfy Pre-Assembled Plug-In
Wiring Systems; date unknown. .
Draper, Inc. "Products for Visual Communication"; 11132/DRC;
BuyLine 3260;Catalogue, 1996. .
Product brochure entitled "Products for Visual Communication," by
Draper Shade & Screen Co., Inc. of Spiceland, IN, 1995. .
Somfy Systems, Inc., "Why Stop With a Motor?" flyer, 1986. .
MechoShade Systems, Inc., "ElectroShade.RTM. II DoubleShade Bracket
#13 with 5113 Pocket" flyer, 1998. .
MechoShade Systems, Inc., "The Mecho/ElectroShade.TM. System:
Pockets & Accessories" flyer, 1994..
|
Primary Examiner: Mahoney; Christopher
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Parent Case Text
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.
08/859,027, filed May 20, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,629.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mounting assembly for a projection screen windable on a roller
comprising: a housing including a plurality of walls and defining
an interior volume for installation of the roller, said housing
further comprising at least one attachment lip overlaying a portion
of one of said plurality of walls, said attachment lip being in
spaced apart relationship with said wall portion to define an
insertion space; and a plurality of roller holding brackets, each
of said brackets comprising at least one attachment lug
complementarily structured for engagement with said at least one
attachment lip, said brackets each being rotatable between first
and second orientations, wherein each of said at least one
attachment lug is structured and arranged to reside within said
insertion space and engage said at least one attachment lip to
mount its respective bracket to said housing when that bracket is
arranged in said first orientation, and wherein each said at least
one attachment lug is structured and arranged to be clear of said
insertion space and disengaged from said at least one attachment
lip to permit removal of its respective bracket from said housing
when that bracket is arranged in said second orientation.
2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing is
elongated in a longitudinal direction, wherein said at least one
attachment lip comprises first and second attachment lips, and
wherein said first and second attachment lips extend in said
longitudinal direction to allow mounting of said plurality of
roller holding brackets at different longitudinal locations along
said housing.
3. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one
attachment lip comprises first and second attachment lips, wherein
each attachment lip comprises a tip and a base portion, wherein
said tips of said first and second attachment lips are spaced apart
a first distance, wherein housing surfaces proximate said base
portions of said first and second attachment lips and defining
interior regions of said insertion spaces are spaced apart a second
distance, and wherein said first distance is less than said second
distance.
4. The mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein said at least one
attachment lug comprises first and second attachment lugs, wherein
outward ends of said first and second attachment lugs together span
a distance greater than said first distance and less than said
second distance, and wherein a corner of said first attachment lug
and a corner of said second attachment lug catercorner to said
first attachment lug corner are truncated to permit rotational
insertion of said first and second attachment lugs between said
first and second attachment lips.
5. The mounting assembly of claim 4 wherein said truncated corners
of said first and second attachment lugs each comprise a rounded
shape.
6. The mounting assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one
set screw for each roller holding bracket, said at least one set
screw extending through its respective roller holding bracket and
abutting said housing to force said at least one attachment lug
into engagement with said at least one attachment lip.
7. The mounting assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one
projecting member connected to said at least one attachment lip to
form at least one lipped projection, each of said at least one
lipped projection extending into said interior volume from one of
said plurality of walls.
8. The mounting assembly of claim 7 wherein said at least one
lipped projection comprises first and second lipped projections,
wherein said projecting members of said first and second lipped
projections are spaced apart a first distance, wherein tips of said
attachment lips of said first and second lipped projections are
spaced apart a second distance, and wherein said first distance is
greater than said second distance.
9. A mounting assembly for a projection screen windable on a roller
comprising: a housing elongated in a longitudinal direction and
including a plurality of walls and defining an interior volume for
installation of the roller, said housing further comprising first
and second lipped projections extending in said longitudinal
direction to allow bracket mounting at different longitudinal
locations along said housing, each of said first and second lipped
projections extending into said interior volume from one of said
plurality of walls, each of said first and second lipped
projections being in spaced apart relationship with a housing wall
portion to define an insertion space; and a plurality of roller
holding brackets, each of said brackets comprising first and second
attachment lugs complementarily structured for engagement with said
first and second lipped projections upon insertion into said
insertion spaces to mount its respective bracket to said
housing.
10. The mounting assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said first and
second lipped projections comprises a projecting flange and an
attachment lip, and wherein a tip of each of said attachment lips
of said first and second lipped projections extends toward the tip
of the attachment lip of the other of said first and second lipped
projections.
11. A housing for a projection screen system including a projection
screen windable on a roller, comprising: a longitudinally extending
first side wall, said first side wall comprising a bottom portion;
a longitudinally extending second side wall in spaced apart
relationship with said first side wall, said second side wall
comprising a bottom portion; a top member interconnecting said
first and second side walls; wherein said top member, said first
side wall and said second side wall define an interior volume in
which the roller is positionable; a longitudinally extending bottom
closure panel sized to partially block a bottom facing opening
between said first and second side walls and provide a gap for
passage of the projection screen unwinding from the roller, said
closure panel comprising an attachment module; and wherein each of
said bottom portions of said first and second side walls comprises
an attachment member complementarily structured for engagement with
said closure panel attachment module, whereby said closure panel is
removably mountable to either of said first and second side
walls.
12. The housing of claim 11 wherein said attachment member of said
first side wall and said attachment member of said second side wall
each comprises a lipped projection including an upwardly projecting
lip.
13. The housing of claim 12 wherein said lipped projection of said
first side wall longitudinally extends along the length of said
first side wall, and wherein said lipped projection of said second
side wall longitudinally extends along the length of said second
side wall.
14. The housing of claim 12 wherein said attachment module
comprises a hook adapted to fit over said upwardly projecting lip
of said lipped projection of either said first side wall or said
second side wall.
15. The housing of claim 11 wherein said first side wall is a
mirror image of said second side wall.
16. The housing of claim 11 wherein said top member comprises a top
wall integrally formed with said first and second side walls.
17. The housing of claim 11 further comprising at least two
attachment lips overlaying portions of said top member, said
attachment lips being in spaced apart relationship with said top
member portions to define insertion spaces for attachment lugs of
roller holding brackets.
18. A projection screen system comprising: a first installation
assembly installable in a structure during a first stage of
construction and comprising a projection screen housing mountable
to the structure, said housing being elongated in a longitudinal
direction and including a plurality of walls and defining an
interior volume for installation of a roller, said housing further
comprising first and second lipped projections extending in said
longitudinal direction to allow bracket mounting at different
longitudinal locations along said housing, each of said first and
second lipped projections extending into said interior volume from
one of said plurality of walls, each of said first and second
lipped projections being in spaced apart relationship with a
housing wall portion to define an insertion space; and a second
installation assembly mountable to said first installation assembly
during a second stage of construction and comprising: a plurality
of roller holding brackets, each of said brackets comprising first
and second attachment lugs complementarily structured for
engagement with said first and second lipped projections upon
insertion into said insertion spaces to mount its respective
bracket to said housing; and a roller assembly mountable to said
plurality of roller holding brackets for installation within said
housing interior volume and including a roller and a projection
screen unwindable from said roller.
19. A mounting assembly for a roller comprising: a housing
including a plurality of walls and defining an interior volume for
installation of the roller, said housing further comprising at
least one attachment lip overlaying a portion of one of said
plurality of walls, said attachment lip being in spaced apart
relationship with said wall portion to define an insertion space;
and at least one roller holding bracket, each of said at least one
bracket comprising at least one attachment lug complementarily
structured for engagement with said at least one attachment lip,
each of said at least one bracket being rotatable between first and
second orientations, wherein each of said at least one attachment
lug is structured and arranged to reside within said insertion
space and engage said at least one attachment lip to mount its
respective bracket to said housing when that bracket is arranged in
said first orientation, and wherein each said at least one
attachment lug is structured and arranged to be clear of said
insertion space and disengaged from said at least one attachment
lip to permit removal of its respective bracket from said housing
when that bracket is arranged in said second orientation.
20. The mounting assembly of claim 19 wherein said housing is
elongated in a longitudinal direction, wherein said at least one
attachment lip comprises first and second attachment lips, and
wherein said first and second attachment lips extend in said
longitudinal direction to allow mounting of each of said at least
one bracket at different longitudinal locations along said
housing.
21. The mounting assembly of claim 19 further comprising at least
one screw for each of said at least one bracket, said at least one
screw extending through its respective roller holding bracket and
abutting said housing to force said at least one attachment lug
into engagement with said at least one attachment lip.
22. The mounting assembly of claim 19 wherein said at least one
roller holding bracket comprises a plurality of roller holding
brackets.
23. A mounting assembly for a roller comprising: a housing
elongated in a longitudinal direction and including a plurality of
walls and defining an interior volume for installation of the
roller, said housing further comprising at least one projection
extending in said longitudinal direction to allow bracket mounting
at different longitudinal locations along said housing, said at
least one projection extending into said interior volume from one
of said plurality of walls, said at least one projection being in
spaced apart relationship with a housing wall portion to define an
insertion space; and at least one roller holding bracket, each of
said at least one bracket comprising at least one attachment lug
complementarily structured for engagement with said at least one
projection upon insertion into said insertion space to mount its
respective bracket to said housing.
24. The mounting assembly of claim 23 wherein said at least one
projection comprises first and second lipped projections, and
wherein said at least one attachment lug comprises first and second
attachment lugs.
25. The mounting assembly of claim 23 wherein said at least one
roller holding bracket comprises a plurality of roller holding
brackets.
26. A housing for a roller on which a sheet is windable,
comprising: a longitudinally extending first side wall, said first
side wall comprising a bottom portion; a longitudinally extending
second side wall in spaced apart relationship with said first side
wall, said second side wall comprising a bottom portion; a top
member interconnecting said first and second side walls and
integrally formed with at least one of said first and second side
walls; wherein said top member, said first side wall and said
second side wall define an interior volume in which the roller is
positionable; a longitudinally extending bottom closure panel sized
to partially block a bottom facing opening between said first and
second side walls and provide a gap for passage of the sheet
unwinding from the roller, said closure panel comprising an
attachment module; and wherein each of said bottom portions of said
first and second side walls comprises an attachment member
complementarily structured for engagement with said closure panel
attachment module, whereby said closure panel is removably
mountable to either of said first and second side walls.
27. The housing of claim 26 wherein said attachment member of said
first side wall and said attachment member of said second side wall
each comprises a lipped projection including an upwardly projecting
lip.
28. The housing of claim 27 wherein said lipped projection of said
first side wall longitudinally extends along the length of said
first side wall, and wherein said lipped projection of said second
side wall longitudinally extends along the length of said second
side wall.
29. The housing of claim 27 wherein said attachment module
comprises a hook adapted to fit over said upwardly projecting lip
of said lipped projection of either said first side wall or said
second side wall.
30. The housing of claim 26 wherein said first side wall is a
mirror image of said second side wall.
31. The housing of claim 26 wherein said top member comprises a top
wall integrally formed with said first and second side walls.
32. The housing of claim 26 further comprising at least two
attachment lips overlaying portions of said top member, said
attachment lips being in spaced apart relationship with said top
member portions to define insertion spaces for attachment lugs of
roller holding brackets.
33. A method of installing a roller operated system in a room
comprising the steps of: mounting a roller housing to a support
member so as to be installed in the room; leaving the room after
performing the housing mounting step, and then returning to the
room at a later stage of work on the room; upon returning to the
room, mounting to the housing without the use of tools at least one
roller holding bracket that is complementarily configured with the
roller housing to allow toolless mounting, wherein the bracket
mounting is at at least one location along the length of the
housing which is selected by the installer from a plurality of
available positions along the length of the housing; and upon
returning to the room, installing to the at least one roller
holding bracket a roller assembly comprising a rotatable roller,
whereby the roller is installed within the housing interior
volume.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the housing comprises a channel,
and wherein during the bracket mounting step the at least one
roller holding bracket is slidable within said channel between said
plurality of available positions.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein said housing comprises first and
second lipped projections defining said channel, and wherein said
at least one bracket is engaged by said first and second lipped
projections so as to be mounted to said housing while being slid
within said channel between said plurality of available
positions.
36. The method of claim 33 wherein the roller assembly comprises a
projection screen unwindable from the roller.
37. The method of claim 33 wherein the at least one roller holding
bracket comprises a plurality of roller holding brackets, and
wherein the locations of the mounting of the brackets are selected
by the installer from the plurality of available positions along
the length of the housing based upon the location of the mounting
of the housing in the room.
38. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of, after
the mounting of the at least one bracket to the housing, locking
the mounted bracket to the housing with at least one fastener.
39. A screen system comprising a screen housing defining an
interior region, the housing including a body and a track coupled
to the body, the track being positioned in the interior region, a
screen positioned in the interior region of the housing, and a
screen mount coupled to the track of the housing and the screen to
couple the screen to the screen housing.
40. The screen system of claim 39, wherein the track is integral
with the body of the housing.
41. The screen system of claim 39, wherein the screen mount
slidably couples the screen to the screen housing.
42. The screen system of claim 39, further comprising a fastener
rigidly coupling the screen mount to the housing.
43. The screen system of claim 39, wherein the screen mount
comprises at least one bracket coupled to the housing and the
screen.
44. The screen system of claim 43, wherein the screen mount further
includes another bracket spaced apart from the at least one bracket
and coupled to the housing and the screen, and at least one of the
brackets is coupled to the track.
45. A screen system comprising a screen housing defining an
interior region, the screen housing having a longitudinal axis, a
screen assembly including a screen, and a screen assembly mount
configured to couple the screen assembly to the screen housing to
permit movement of the screen assembly relative to the screen
housing along the longitudinal axis of the screen housing.
46. The screen system of claim 45, further comprising a fastener
configured to rigidly couple the screen assembly to the housing to
block movement of the screen assembly relative to the screen
housing.
47. The screen system of claim 45, wherein the screen housing
includes a track and the screen assembly mount is coupled to the
track.
48. The screen system of claim 47, wherein the track includes a
pair of lip portions and the screen assembly mount is positioned
between the lip portions.
49. The screen system of claim 48, wherein the screen housing
further includes a body, the lip portions and the body cooperate to
define spaces therebetween, and the screen assembly mount includes
a pair of lugs positioned in the spaces.
50. The screen system of claim 45, wherein the screen housing
includes a screen housing body and the track is integral with the
screen housing body.
51. The screen system of claim 45, wherein the screen assembly
mount is slidably coupled to the projector screen housing.
52. The screen system of claim 51, wherein the projector screen
assembly mount includes a pair of lugs configured to slide relative
to the projector screen housing.
53. The screen system of claim 52, wherein the lugs have truncated
corners.
54. The screen system of claim 45, wherein the screen assembly
mount comprises at least one bracket coupled to the housing and the
screen.
55. The screen system of claim 54, wherein the screen mount further
includes another bracket spaced apart from the at least one bracket
and coupled to the housing and the screen, and at least one of the
brackets is coupled to the track.
56. A screen system comprising a screen housing having a
longitudinal axis, a roller and screen assembly, and means for
coupling the roller and screen assembly to the screen housing to
permit adjustment of the position of the roller and screen assembly
along the longitudinal axis of the screen housing as the roller and
screen assembly remains coupled to the screen housing.
57. The screen system of claim 56, wherein the coupling means
includes a track coupled to the screen housing body.
58. The screen system of claim 57, wherein the coupling means
further includes a bracket coupled to the track to support the
screen.
59. The screen system of claim 56, wherein the coupling means
includes a bracket configured to slide relative to the screen
housing body and to support the screen.
60. The screen system of claim 59, wherein the coupling means
includes another bracket spaced apart from the other bracket.
61. The screen system of claim 56, wherein the coupling means
includes a downwardly extending support flange to which the screen
is coupled and a lug configured to slidably couple to the
housing.
62. The screen system of claim 56, further comprising a fastener
configured to rigidly couple the coupling means to the screen
housing body.
63. A screen system comprising a screen housing defining an
interior region and having first and second spaced-apart side
walls, each of the first and second side walls having a wall
formation thereon, a screen positioned in the interior region of
the screen housing, and a closure having a closure formation, the
closure formation being configured to permit coupling of the
closure to each of the wall formations of the first and second side
walls, the closure and the side walls defining an opening
therebetween sized to permit the screen to move therein during
raising and lowering of the screen relative to the screen
housing.
64. A screen system comprising a screen housing defining an
interior region and having a pair of spaced-apart side walls, each
side wall having a wall formation thereon, the wall formation of
one of the side walls being the mirror image of the wall formation
of the other side wall, a screen positioned in the interior region
of the screen housing, and a closure having a closure formation,
the closure formation being configured to permit coupling of the
closure to at least one of the wall formations of the side walls,
the closure and the side walls defining an opening therebetween
sized to permit the screen to move therein during raising and
lowering of the screen relative to the screen housing.
65. The screen system of claim 64, wherein the closure formation
includes a hook.
66. A screen system comprising a screen housing defining an
interior region and having a pair of spaced-apart side walls, each
side wall having a wall formation thereon, a screen positioned in
the interior region of the screen housing, and a closure having a
closure formation, the closure formation being configured to permit
coupling of the closure to at least one of the wall formations of
the side walls, the closure and the side walls defining an opening
therebetween sized to permit the screen to move therein during
raising and lowering of the screen relative to the screen housing,
the wall formations of the side walls and the closure formation of
the closure defining interactive members configured to permit
selective mounting of the closure on both side walls.
67. A screen system comprising a screen housing body defining an
interior region and having a longitudinal axis, a screen assembly
positioned in the interior region of the housing body to move
between use and storage positions, and a screen support having
interactive members coupled to the screen housing body to support
the screen assembly such that the screen assembly may be moved
longitudinally relative to the screen housing body while the screen
support supports the screen assembly.
68. The screen system of claim 67, wherein a first of the
interactive members is integral with the screen housing body.
69. The screen system of claim 68, wherein the first of the
interactive members is positioned in the interior region of the
housing body.
70. The screen system of claim 67, further comprising a fastener
rigidly coupling the interactive members together.
71. A screen system comprising a screen housing body defining an
interior region and having a longitudinal axis, a screen assembly
positioned in the interior region of the screen housing body to
move between use and storage positions, and a screen support having
interactive members coupled to the screen housing body to support
the screen assembly such that the screen assembly may be moved
longitudinally relative to the screen housing body, a first of the
interactive members being integral with the screen housing body,
the screen housing body and the first of the interactive members
being extruded.
72. A screen system comprising a screen housing body defining an
interior region and having a longitudinal axis, a screen assembly
positioned in the interior region of the screen housing body to
move between use and storage positions, and a screen support having
interactive members coupled to the screen housing body to support
the screen assembly such that the screen assembly may be moved
longitudinally relative to the screen housing body, a first of the
interactive members defining a space and a second of the
interactive members being positioned in the space to couple the
second of the interactive members to the first of the interactive
members.
73. A screen system comprising a screen housing body defining an
interior region and having a longitudinal axis, a screen assembly
positioned in the interior region of the housing body to move
between use and storage positions, and a screen support having
interactive members coupled to the screen housing body to support
the screen assembly such that the screen assembly may be moved
longitudinally relative to the screen housing body, a first of the
interactive members being coupled to the screen housing body, a
second of the interactive members being coupled to the screen
housing body in a position spaced apart from the first of the
interactive members, a third of the interactive members being
coupled to the first of the interactive members, and a fourth of
the interactive member being coupled to the second of the
interactive members.
74. The screen system of claim 73, wherein the third and fourth
interactive members are positioned between the first and second
interactive members.
75. A method for installing a screen assembly in a screen housing,
the method comprising the step of coupling a screen assembly to a
screen housing having a longitudinal axis and moving the screen
assembly relative to the screen housing along the longitudinal axis
of the screen housing while the screen assembly is coupled to the
screen housing.
76. The method of claim 75, wherein the screen assembly slides
relative to the screen housing during movement relative to the
screen housing.
77. The method of claim 75, further comprising the step of blocking
movement of the screen assembly after the screen is moved to a
selected position.
78. The method of claim 75, wherein the screen assembly includes a
roller, a screen wound on the roller, and a motor configured to
rotate the roller to raise and lower the screen.
79. The method of claim 75, further comprising the step of
attaching the screen housing to a building structure, wherein the
moving step occurs after the attaching step.
80. A method for adjusting the position of a screen assembly
relative to a screen housing, the method comprising the steps of
providing a screen assembly slidably coupled to a screen housing
and sliding the screen assembly relative to the screen housing.
81. The method of claim 80, further comprising a step of rigidly
coupling the screen assembly to the screen housing after the step
of sliding the screen assembly.
82. The method of claim 80, further comprising the step of
attaching the screen housing to a building structure, wherein the
sliding step occurs after the attaching step.
83. The method of claim 82, further comprising the step of blocking
sliding of the screen assembly after the screen assembly is slid to
a selected position.
84. The method of claim 80, wherein the sliding step occurs after
the screen assembly is slidably coupled to the screen housing.
85. A method of repositioning a closure on a mounted screen
housing, the method comprising the steps of providing a screen
housing mounted to a structure and a closure, the screen housing
including first and second walls, the closure being coupled to the
first side wall to define an opening therebetween sized to permit a
screen to pass therein during lowering and raising of the screen
relative to the screen housing, uncoupling the closure panel from
the first wall of the screen housing, and coupling the closure
panel to the second wall of the screen housing.
86. The method of claim 85, wherein the steps of uncoupling the
closure panel from the first wall and coupling the closure panel to
the second wall occur while the screen housing is coupled to the
structure.
87. The method of claim 85, wherein the first and second walls
include wall formations and the closure includes a closure
formation complementary to wall formations.
88. The method of claim 87, wherein the wall formation of the first
wall mirrors the wall formation of the second wall.
89. The method of claim 85, wherein the screen housing includes a
longitudinal axis, further comprising the step of moving the
closure laterally after the uncoupling step and before the coupling
step.
90. The method of claim 85, wherein the uncoupling step includes
disengaging a hook portion of the closure from a first lipped
portion of the screen housing and the coupling step includes
engaging the hook portion of the closure with a second lipped
portion of the screen housing.
91. A method of installing a projection screen system in a
structure, the method consisting of the steps of providing a
projection screen system including a screen housing having a pair
of internal bracket channels, a screen assembly, a first bracket, a
second bracket, and at least one fastener, attaching the screen
housing to the structure, inserting the first bracket in the screen
housing, rotating the first bracket relative to the screen housing
until the first bracket is positioned in the internal bracket
channels, inserting the screen assembly in the screen housing,
supporting the screen assembly with the second bracket, sliding the
first bracket relative to the screen housing, and tightening the at
least one fastener to secure the first bracket relative to the
screen housing.
92. The method of claim 91, wherein the screen assembly includes a
screen, a roller, and a motor configured to rotate the roller to
raise and lower the screen, a first plug connector is provided that
is electrically coupled to the motor, further comprising the steps
of coupling a second plug connector to power supply of the
structure, and coupling a first plug connector to the second plug
connector.
93. The method of claim 92, wherein the step of coupling the second
plug connector to the power supply of the structure occurs before
the step of inserting the screen assembly in the screen
housing.
94. The method of claim 93, wherein the step of rotating the first
bracket relative to the screen housing occurs after the step of
attaching the screen housing to the structure.
95. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of supporting the
screen assembly with the second bracket occurs before the step of
sliding the first bracket relative to the screen housing.
96. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of inserting the
screen assembly occurs after the step of attaching the screen
housing.
97. The method of claim 96, wherein the step of attaching the
screen housing occurs before a later stage of work has been
completed on a room in which the housing has been attached and the
step of inserting the screen assembly occurs after the later stage
of work has been completed on the room to avoid contamination of
the screen assembly by contaminants generated during the later
stage of work on the room.
98. A screen system comprising a screen housing defining an
interior region, the screen housing including a housing body and a
pair of end caps coupled to opposite ends of the housing body, a
screen positioned in the interior region of the screen housing, and
a first bracket configured to support the screen in the interior
region of the screen housing, the first bracket being movably
supported by the housing body to permit movement of the first
bracket relative to the housing body and end caps.
99. The screen system of claim 98, wherein the first bracket is
spaced apart from the end caps.
100. The screen system of claim 98, wherein the housing further
includes a track positioned in the interior region, and the first
bracket is configured to slide along the track.
101. The screen system of claim 98, further comprising a second
bracket spaced apart from the first bracket and configured to
support the screen in the interior region of the screen housing,
and a fastener configured to secure the second bracket against
movement relative to the screen housing when the fastener is
engaged with the screen housing.
102. The screen system of claim 98, wherein the screen housing
further includes a pair of channels and the first bracket includes
a pair of lugs configured to be received in the pair of channels to
slidably support the first bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to roller operated systems, and, in
particular, to mounting assemblies for rollers of such systems.
Projection screen systems in numerous forms are gaining frequent
application in a variety of venues, including conference rooms in
office buildings and home entertainment systems. Many such systems
include an electrical motor that powers the raising and lowering of
the screen relative to a housing that holds the screen mounting
roller. The projection screen either winds on the roller or unwinds
from the roller depending on the direction of rotation of the
motor. Projection screen systems of this type frequently are
completely installed into a building or structure at one time.
During this installation process, an electrician is required to
hardwire a power conduit within the structure to the projection
screen system. The electrician then electrically connects the
exposed wire leads of the power cord extending from the motor to
this power conduit, and manipulates these electrical connections
into a junction box mounted within the housing. One shortcoming of
this one time system installation process is that the installed
projection screen may be subjected to dust, dirt and other risks of
damage that are inherent in being located in a construction zone
for potentially long periods of time. However, installing the
projection screen housing to the structure during a first stage of
construction and then the projection screen during a subsequent
stage of construction may be cost prohibitive. In particular,
hiring an electrician to return to the building to wire the motor
to the power conduit already installed by an electrician during
building construction may increase installation costs
appreciably.
Another shortcoming of many projection screen systems is the
difficulty or inconvenience of properly positioning the projection
screen within a room in which it is to be viewed. On occasion,
whether it be due to an incorrect measurement during installation
or a properly performed installation into a room that is
subsequently altered before construction is finished, a person who
lowers the screen for use may discover the screen to be off-center
or improperly positioned within the room. For projection screen
systems that support the screen mounting roller at the housing end
caps, longitudinal adjustments of the screen may require the entire
housing be moved to adjust the projection screen positioning. Other
known systems of the type that employ roller mounting brackets that
are attached with screws to the housing do allow the position of
the roller to be adjusted without moving the system housing.
However, this adjustment operation, as well as the process of
initially installing the screen mounting roller, may be awkward and
difficult for an installer to perform. In particular, this process
requires the installer to hold the roller mounting brackets in
place, typically above his or her head, while the brackets are
initially attached, or detached and reattached in situations where
a change in screen positioning is desired.
Another problem with some projection screen systems is that their
construction frequently leaves little margin for error in the
installation process. For example, if the housing is initially
installed backwards with the wrong part of the housing facing into
the room in which the projection screen is to be used, the housing
must be removed, turned around and reinstalled. In addition, on
occasion when the fully assembled system is operated and the screen
is lowered, it may be discovered that the projection screen is too
close to the wall to clear any artwork displayed on that wall. Even
if that projection screen was installed to roll off the back of the
roller within the housing, the roller typically is not capable of
being quickly removed and reinstalled to allow the screen to roll
off the front edge of the roller. This shortcoming is because the
closure panel that partially blocks off the underside opening of
the housing may not be readily installable to the back wall of the
housing instead of the front wall where the panel was initially
installed. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a system that
overcomes these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a roller operated system, such as a
projection screen system, that is installable in two stages such
that portions of the system may be installed at different times
during construction. A housing and roller mounting brackets are
provided that are cooperatively shaped to enable the brackets to be
temporarily installed to the housing without fasteners, as well as
enable the brackets to be moved along the length of the housing to
adjust the position of the roller. The housing is further designed
in conjunction with the bottom closure panel to allow the panel to
be attached to either the forward or rearward side wall of the
housing, thereby affording the system the capability to be modified
to meet the requirements of a given application.
In one form thereof, the present invention provides a mounting
assembly for a projection screen windable on a roller including a
housing and a plurality of roller holding brackets. The housing
includes a plurality of walls and defines an interior volume for
installation of the roller. The housing also includes at least one
attachment lip overlaying a portion of one of the plurality of
walls, wherein the attachment lip is in spaced apart relationship
with the wall portion to define an insertion space. Each of the
roller holding brackets includes at least one attachment lug
complementarily structured for engagement with the at least one
attachment lip. Each of the brackets is rotatable between first and
second orientations, wherein each of the at least one attachment
lug is structured and arranged to reside within the insertion space
and engage the at least one attachment lip to mount its respective
bracket to the housing when that bracket is arranged in the first
orientation, and wherein each of the at least one attachment lug is
structured and arranged to be clear of the insertion space and
disengaged from the at least one attachment lip to permit removal
of its respective bracket from the housing when that bracket is
arranged in the second orientation.
In still another form thereof, the present invention provides a
housing for a projection screen system including a projection
screen windable on a roller. The housing includes a longitudinally
extending first side wall, a longitudinally extending second side
wall in spaced apart relationship with the first side wall, and a
top member interconnecting the first and second side walls. The top
member, the first side wall and the second side wall define an
interior volume in which the roller is positionable. The housing
also includes a longitudinally extending bottom closure panel sized
to partially block a bottom facing opening between the first and
second side walls and provide a gap for passage of the projection
screen unwinding from the roller, wherein the closure panel
includes an attachment module. Each of the bottom portions of the
first and second side walls includes an attachment member
complementarily structured for engagement with the closure panel
attachment module, whereby the closure panel is removably mountable
to either of the first and second side walls.
One advantage of the present invention is that it allows the
housing of a projection screen system and the roller mounted
projection screen to be installed at different stages of
construction without requiring the installer of the screen to
possess any electrical wiring expertise.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the roller
mounted projection screen can be moved longitudinally to the left
and to the right after installation has initially been made to
properly locate the screen.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the roller
mounting brackets may be temporarily secured to the housing without
additional fasteners to facilitate screen installation.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the
housing allows mounting of a bottom closure panel on either the
front or back housing sides so as to provide suitable openings
permitting the projection screen to roll off either the front or
back of the roller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above mentioned and other advantages and objects of this
invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view of an assembled projection
screen system of the present invention, wherein the system is
partially shown in longitudinal cross-section and wherein the
bottom closure panel is not shown;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom view of the projection screen system
of FIG. 1, wherein the junction box cover, the electrical circuitry
extending from the motor and within the junction box, and the
weighted bottom portion of the projection screen have been removed
for purposes of illustration;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view, taken along line 3--3 of FIG.
1, of the projection screen system of FIG. 1, wherein the bottom
closure panel is shown installed;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view, taken along line 4--4 of FIG.
1, of the projection screen system of FIG. 1, wherein the bottom
closure panel is shown installed, wherein the plug and socket
connectors of the electrical circuitry are abstractly shown without
their associated wiring, and wherein the roller and projection
screen are not shown in cross-section;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view, taken along line 5--5 of FIG.
1, of the projection screen system of FIG. 1, wherein the bottom
closure panel is shown installed, and wherein the plug and socket
connectors of the electrical circuitry are abstractly shown without
their associated wiring;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are side and top views of the motor end roller
mounting bracket removed from the remainder of the projection
screen system of FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar cross-sectional end views
diagrammatically showing a bottom closure panel mounted on
different side walls of the housing and with the projection screen
unwinding from different sides of the roller.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent an
embodiment of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to
scale and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in some of
the drawings in order to better illustrate and explain the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, there are shown various views of an
exemplary embodiment of a projection screen system, generally
designated 10, of the present invention in a screen storage
arrangement. System 10 includes a protective housing 12 formed of a
top wall or panel 14 having opposite side edge portions from which
downwardly extend side wall 16 and side wall 18. The shown
orthogonal configuration of side walls 16 and 18 with respect to
top wall 14 results in housing 12 having an inverted square
U-shaped configuration, but other wall arrangements may be utilized
in alternate embodiments. Housing 12 is fabricated from a
lightweight and strong material such as aluminum. Housing 12 is
preferably formed in one-piece in an extrusion process, but may be
formed in alternate fashions, such as by rigidly interconnecting
separate panels or plates. Along its longitudinal length that
extends from end 20 to end 21, housing 12 is uniformly configured,
and therefore the shapes of the housing shown in FIGS. 3-5 are
representative rather than merely coincidentally similar. In the
shown embodiment, housing 12 is symmetrical about a vertical plane
longitudinally extending through line 164 shown in FIG. 3, and
therefore housing 12 may be installed such that either side wall 16
or side wall 18 is the front wall (i.e. the housing wall closer to
the center of the room in which projection screen system 10 is to
be viewed).
Housing side wall 16 includes a pair of screw channels 23, and side
wall 18 includes a pair of screw channels 24. End cap 27 is
attached to housing 12 by four screws 29 that insert into screw
channels 23 and 24 and closes off the end of the interior volume
defined by housing 12. End cap 28 is similar attached with screws
30 to cap the opposite housing end. End caps 27 and 28 are formed
of a high strength material, such as steel. End caps 27, 28
respectively include upper flanges 33, 34 that each include two
apertures as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. The apertured flanges
33, 34 may be attached to a support member of a structure in which
projection screen system 10 is to be installed with any of a
variety of conventional fasteners, such as threaded rods with
locking nuts and wires as indicated in FIG. 1 at 36 and 37,
respectively. Housing 12 may alternatively be directly attached to
the support member by fasteners that extend through a housing wall,
such as top wall 14.
Installed within the interior volume 38 formed by walls 14, 16 and
18 is a junction box, generally designated 40, that furnishes a
protected compartment for the electrical connections between
projection screen system 10 and a conduit to the installation
structure's power supply. Junction box 40 includes vertical side
flanges 42 and 43 and a bottom facing horizontal flange 44 that
substantially span the entire horizontal space between side walls
16 and 18. Self-tapping screws 46 and 47 that fit through tabs 49,
50 horizontally extending from box flanges 42, 43 insert into a
screw channel 52 formed into housing top wall 14 to mount junction
box 40 to housing 12. Junction box 40 may be manufactured by
orthogonally bending a suitably sized and shaped single piece of
sheet metal into the shown configuration.
Junction box 40 is positioned directly below an entry hole 55 in
housing top wall 14 through which an electrical conduit (not shown)
connected to a structure's power supply can be inserted. Bottom
flange 44 includes a rectangular opening 57 which allows access to
the interior or contents of box 40. A junction box cover plate 59,
shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, is attached to bottom flange 44
with not shown screws that insert through four holes 60 in flange
44. A second opening 62 adapted to installably receive a power
connector is also provided through bottom flange 44.
Mounted to junction box 40 and positioned within the interior of
box 40 is a power connector abstractly shown in FIG. 1 at 64.
Connector 64 includes a socket portion 65 from which extend four
wire leads 67. Socket portion 65 snap fits into flange opening 62
during installation so as to permit its connection with a
complementary power connector in a convenient fashion and without
removing cover plate 59. Socket portion 65 includes hollows or
sockets within its body that receive projecting plugs of a plug
portion of a power connector. In the shown embodiment in which four
wire leads 67 are employed, socket portion 65 includes four
separate plug receiving sockets. Wire leads 67, with the use of
wire nuts (not shown), are attached to the end of the electrical
conduit (not shown) hardwired into the building. A quick disconnect
power connector external to junction box 40 is shown at 70 and
includes a plug portion 72 from which project individual plugs
insertable into the sockets of power connector 64. Power connector
70 is circuited with a power cord 74 connected to screen motor 76.
Power connectors 64 and 70 may be readily mated together as
described further below to operatively circuit motor 76 to the
building's electrical power supply. One suitable type of power
connector is available from AMP Incorporated of Harrisburg, Pa. as
Universal Mate-N-Lok Connectors. Other styles of plug/socket
connectors, as well as other types of connectors readily
connectable without handling of potentially hot wiring, may be
substituted for the shown connectors 64 and 70 within the scope of
the invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, downwardly projecting from top wall 14 are two
L-shaped projections or interactive members, generally designated
80 and 84, that extend the longitudinal length of housing 12 and
allow for the adjustable attachment of a projection screen assembly
to housing 12. Projection 80 includes a vertically projecting
flange 81 that terminates with a horizontally extending lip portion
82 pointing toward the middle of top wall 14. The upper surface of
lip portion 82 is spaced from the region of top wall 14 which it
overlays to provide an insertion space for bracket mounting as
described below. Projection 84 is a mirror image of projection 80
and includes flange 85 and lip portion 86, which points toward lip
portion 82. Projections 80 and 84 are integrally formed with top
wall 14, but in alternate embodiments may be provided on side walls
16 and 18, such as if a roller is to be mounted to that side wall.
Differently shaped projections, such as slat-shaped flanges that
are inclined relative to top wall 14, may be substituted for the
L-shaped projections shown. In addition, the insertion spaces
defined by projections 80 and 84 may be provided by recesses
provided in the housing walls within the scope of the
invention.
A projection screen assembly that may be readily mounted to housing
12 subsequent to the installation of housing 12 in a building is
generally designated 100 and includes brackets 102 and 104 directly
attachable to housing 12. FIGS. 6A and 6B are further described as
showing views of bracket 102, but this shown bracket configuration
enables its use as either bracket 102 or 104, which simplifies
manufacture and assembly. Bracket 102 includes an attachment flange
106 from which downwardly extends support flange 108. Four tapped
holes 107 through flange 106 receive set screws 116 (See FIG. 1).
The end regions 110 and 112 of flange 106 serve as attachment lugs
or interactive members. Attachment lugs 110, 112 have a thickness
insertable into the space between top wall 14 and the lip portions
82 and 86 of lipped projections 80 and 84. Attachment lugs 110 and
112 further are sized such that the distance from the outward edge
of attachment lug 110 to the outward edge of attachment lug 112, as
measured in a direction perpendicular to a roller when installed to
bracket 102, is greater than the distance between the tips of lip
portions 82 and 86 but less than the distance between flanges 81
and 85. Diagonally opposite or catercorner portions 113 and 114 of
attachment lugs 110 and 112 are rounded such that the diagonal
length therebetween is less than the distance between flanges 81
and 85 to allow a rotational bracket installation described further
below. Support flange 108 includes horizontally spaced apertures
115, vertically spaced apertures 119, and a central aperture 121.
Apertures 119 and 121 are not used in bracket 102, but when a
bracket shaped as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is used as bracket 104,
such apertures respectively receive dampener mounting screws and an
idler shaft as described further below. Bracket 104 is configured
identical to bracket 102 and generally includes an attachment
flange 117 and support flange 118 (See FIG. 1).
Although configured as an outwardly extending and coplanar
continuation of bracket flange 106 in the illustrated embodiment,
attachment lugs 110 and 112 may be differently configured within
the scope of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, for
example, lugs 110 and 112 may be provided as tabs projecting from
support flange 108, or as movable members shiftable along
attachment flange 106.
Operationally supported by bracket 102 is the electric motor 76
connected to power cord 74. The rotatable output shaft of motor 76
is operationally attached to a cylindrical roller 120 in a well
known fashion. Motor 76 includes a square stud (not shown) that
projects from the motor housing and inserts into a square
throughbore provided in a finned insert (not shown) made of
aluminum molded into dampener 128. The finned insert engages the
motor housing stud to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Sound
dampener 128 is formed of thermoplastic rubber and includes two
laterally extending projections 130 into which are integrally
molded T-nuts 132. A pair of screws 134 extend through apertures
115 in support flange 108 and engage the internal threads of T-nuts
132 to mount dampener 128 to bracket flange 108.
Shown wound around roller 120 and unwindable therefrom upon roller
revolution is a sheet of fabric 122 that serves as a projection
screen. Projection screen 122 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 in a retracted
position fully stored within the protective housing 12. As is
conventional when used as a front projection screen, one surface of
fabric sheet 122 is of the type of material on which images may be
projected for viewing, and the opposite surface is formed of an
opaque material. The lower end of fabric sheet 122 is looped and
secured around a dowel abstractly indicated at 126. Dowel 126
serves as a suspended weight that causes screen 122 to descend in a
relatively planar configuration as it unwinds from roller 120.
At the end of roller 120 opposite the end to which motor 76 is
attached, an idler shaft 137 is fixed to roller 120 to be rotatable
therewith. Idler shaft 137 extends through a flanged nylon bushing
139 mounted within thermoplastic rubber dampener 141, and through a
central aperture (corresponding to aperture 121 through support
flange 108) in support flange 118. Slipped over the end of idler
shaft 137 is a washer 143, and spring clip 145 attaches around
shaft 137 to prevent shaft 137 from being axially withdrawn through
flange 118. Two screws 147, 149 insert through vertically spaced
holes through flange 118 to threadedly engage T-nuts (not shown)
integrally molded into dampener 141 to mount dampener 141 to flange
118.
With particular reference to FIG. 3, a lipped projection 154
projects inwardly from an interior surface 153 of an outwardly
offset lower region 152 of housing side wall 16. A second lipped
projection 156 projects from surface 153 below projection 154.
Lipped projections 154 and 156 extend the longitudinal length of
side wall 16. The outwardly offset lower region 158 of housing side
wall 18 similar includes lipped projections 160 and 162, which are
mirror images of projections 154 and 156.
A bottom closure panel 166 made of aluminum that extends the entire
longitudinal length of housing 12 and which has a uniform
cross-section along its length includes an attachment member 168
comprising hook end 170. Closure panel 166 is sized narrower than
the space or opening between side walls 16 and 18 such that when
attached to either side wall 16 or side wall 18, closure panel 166
defines a slot shaped gap 172 with the side wall to which it is not
attached. The projection screen 122 can be lowered and raised
through this gap 172 during system operation.
Hook end 170 fits over the upturned lip of lipped projection 154 as
shown in FIG. 3 to mount closure panel 166 to side wall 16. The lip
of lipped projection 156 provides an enlarged bearing surface
against which the side surface of attachment member 168 abuts when
installed. An upstanding longitudinal rib 174 stiffens panel 166 to
resist panel bowing. Nub 176 that laterally extends from rib 174
and a longitudinally extending L-shaped rib 178 define a channel
180. Not shown brackets insertable into channel 180 at opposite
ends of panel 166 include upstanding leaf spring portions with
longitudinally projecting pins. Apertures (not shown) on end caps
27 and 28 receive the pins of the leaf spring portions when closure
panel 166 is installed to line up the panel housing and prevent
panel sag.
Attachment member 168 may be used to attach to either lipped
projection 154 or 160 due to the projections complementary
structure with member 168. Other detachable, interconnecting
structures, including housing recesses or apertures that releasably
receive prongs of the closure panel, may be employed within the
scope of the invention.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the installation adaptability
afforded by the configuration of the housing and closure panel of
projection screen system 10 is further illustrated. FIG. 7
diagrammatically shows projection screen 122 unwinding from roller
120 installed within housing 12 and passing through gap 172. As
closure panel 166 is mounted to side wall 16, gap 172 is provided
between the edge of panel 166 and side wall 18. Depending on the
requirements of a user of system 10, the viewing surface of screen
122 may be furnished on either surface 183 or surface 184. In
screens fabricated with only one surface being a viewing surface,
the direction that surface faces is controlled by the manner in
which screen 122 is wrapped around roller 120. In the diagrammatic
view of FIG. 8, closure panel 166 is mounted to side wall 18 and
consequently projection screen 122 unwinding from roller 120 passes
through gap 172 formed between the edge of panel 166 and side wall
16. The viewing direction of screen 122 in FIG. 8 may be from
either side.
The structure of projection screen system 10 will be further
understood in view of the following explanation of its installation
and operation. A first stage of installation typically involves
mounting an assembly including housing 12 to the structure, such as
to a beam above the room in which system 10 is intended to be used.
After end caps 27 and 28 and junction box 40 are preinstalled or
fastened to the housing ends and top wall 14, respectively, end
caps 27, 28 may be used to mount this screen assembly to the
structure. At this stage of installation, the remainder of
projection screen system 10 is not installed within housing 12. For
example, roller 120 with projection screen 122, as well as roller
mounting brackets 102 and 104, have yet to be installed, and for
that matter may be safely held in storage at another location where
it is clear of the risk of damage from the construction site
environment. After housing 12 is secured to the structure, an
electrical conduit is routed through entry hole 55 and into
junction box 40. After an electrician removes cover plate 59 and
electrically interconnects lead wires 67 to the appropriate wires
of the electrical conduit, socket portion 65 is snap fit into
opening 62 of junction box 40 and cover plate 59 is fastened to
flange 44.
Projection screen assembly 100 is subsequently installed to the
previously installed housing assembly. This installation step,
which may occur immediately after housing 12 installation but
normally is delayed until construction of the building is
essentially complete, begins with roller mounting brackets 102 and
104 separated from roller 120. Roller bracket 102 is manipulated by
an installer such that attachment flange 106 rests substantially
flush with the interior surface of housing top wall 14 between
lipped projections 80 and 84. Due to the span of attachment lugs
110 and 112 being larger than the gap between lip portions 82 and
86, to so manipulate bracket 102 an installer must arrange bracket
102 in a rotational orientation different from the installed
arrangement shown in FIG. 1, such as about a forty-five degree
rotation counter-clockwise from the perspective of a FIG. 2 viewer
therefrom. As bracket 102 is then rotated (in a clockwise direction
from the perspective of a FIG. 2 viewer) while being held at the
same elevation, attachment lugs 110, 112 are rotated into the
insertion spaces between top wall 14 and lip portions 82 and 86.
The truncated corner portions 113 and 114 do not engage the flanges
of the lipped projections and thereby do not prevent this
rotational insertion of the attachment lugs 110 and 112. The
underside of attachment lugs 110 and 112 abut the upper surfaces of
lips 82 and 86 to prevent bracket 102 from falling out from housing
12.
After bracket 104 is mounted to housing 12 in a similar fashion,
namely by first positioning it in a rotational offset arrangement
and rotating it such that the attachment lugs of its attachment
flange insert and engage the attachment lips 82 and 86, the roller
120 and its associated mounting accessories may be installed
between the mounted brackets. The longitudinal position of roller
120 may be adjusted along the length of housing 12 by sliding
brackets 102 and 104 within the channel defined between projections
80 and 84. When the proper longitudinal positioning of screen 122
has been achieved, the set screws through the attachment flanges of
each of the roller mounting brackets may be tightened to lock
brackets 102 and 104, and thereby lock screen 122 in its
longitudinal position.
Next, an operator may take the power connector 70 attached to power
cord 74 and simply plug it into the exposed socket portion 65 of
power connector 64. It will be appreciated that no electrician is
required for this plug insertion, but rather a person with minimal
mechanical aptitude may complete the circuiting of electrical motor
76 with the power supply.
The next installation step is to mount bottom closure panel 166. An
installer may simply maneuver closure panel 166 such that hook end
170 fits over lip projection 154. This positioning may be performed
by tilting upward the end of the panel opposite attachment member
168 and then lowering it after the hooking process is complete.
After the closure panel has been manipulated such that the brackets
mounted in channell 80 engage the apertures of end caps 27 and 28,
installation is complete. Subsequent operation of motor 76 allows
roller 120 to revolve, which in turn causes projection screen 122
to unwind therefrom and pass down through gap 172 to a lowered
position where an image can be projected on its surface for
viewing. Motor 76 is reversible to wind screen 122 around roller
120 to raise screen 122.
It will be recognized that if an installer wishes to have the
screen unwind from the opposite side of roller 120, the screen
assembly may be flipped and the closure panel 166 mounted to lipped
projection 160. Housing 12 need not be removed from its installed
position to achieve this modification.
While this invention has been shown and described as having
multiple designs, the present invention may be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains.
* * * * *